SEDIBENG.- “Since every patient admitted at our clinics and hospitals gets registered on the system, we demand that the statistics of undocumented foreigner’s nationals having access to our public healthcare facilities be published.”

This bold statement was recently made by ActionSA Sedibeng leader, Bongani Dhlamini who further said that the country’s public healthcare services is burdened by millions of foreign nationals, many of whom are undocumented or lack any form of medical insurance, reasonably making use of taxpayer-funded public healthcare services where they contribute nothing.

“Our public health is already buckling under pressure, with overcrowded hospitals and clinics with long queues, understaffing and medicine shortage.”

Dhlamini said that it is not ascertained if undocumented foreigners use their correct names.

“It is surprising that all government institutions require proof of residential address from citizens for services (but the Department of Health doesn’t want these from foreigners). Some foreigners move from one health facility to another collecting medicine which they later take to their country to sell and make money,” Dhlamini said.

Sedibeng Ster reported recently that the communities of Sharpeville and Vereeniging have continued to bar the foreigners form receiving medical health at their clinics, demanding to see their (legal status) documents. The communities have also cited the work load on staff at the clinics and the slow service being provided to the local due to undocumented foreigners receiving help, which, according to the residents, they do not deserve as they are illegally in the country.

The police have apparently been notified about the situation and no violence, and arrests, have been reported.

“We continue to put South African first, ensuring that their access to healthcare is never compromised, and that we build a system that delivers quality and affordable care,” Dhlamini said.

He added that in May ActionSA made submissions to amend Section 27 of Constitution to exclude undocumented foreign nationals from accessing tax-funded healthcare services in South Africa.

“We will keep our promise of being the voice of our people.”